Designing and planning a commercial space is a particularly challenging role for an architect. A commercial architecture firm must possess knowledge about the building materials, lighting, wiring, and appropriate design solutions for a number of diverse markets. 

With an enormous variety of architects serving the commercial market, clients first need to determine which firm can best help them in developing their property. Our editorial team has listed our pick of The Best Commercial Architects in Newport Beach, California. These firms exhibit a profound knowledge of design, demonstrating artistry, functionality, and marketability in their projects. This article discusses their award-winning projects, the extent of their service area, a list of services provided, and the teams implementing the firms’ processes.


SCGWest Development

18001 Sky Park Cir suite LM, Irvine, CA 92614

Kyle Gorman and Brandon Lehman founded SCGWest in 2012, aiming to enhance conventional industry practices and create a seamless, streamlined process. Through the years, the firm has determined the best ways to achieve its aim and now provides development services to the nation’s largest retail, restaurant, and medical office brands. 

Capriotti’s is one of the brands that has engaged the firm’s design services. To begin their process, the firm prioritizes planning and understanding the client’s objectives. To help the client get right to business, SCGWest strives to limit the project life cycle to eight months from commencement.

SCGWest consists of a dedicated team that brings knowledge of different commercial industries and passion to every project. This team provides turn-key solutions in every project stage, from the scouting and planning stages, through project development, design, construction, turnover, and closeout. Understanding the efficiency of a high-performing team, these members are carefully handpicked to ensure a positive influence on the design and project delivery.


Lionakis

4000 MacArthur Blvd. Suite 101, Newport Beach, CA, 92660

The founder of Lionakis, George Sellon, was California’s first State Architect. He worked to guide the firm in the practice of architecture, engineering, planning, interiors, graphics, and sustainable disciplines. As the years passed, Lionakis has partnered with clients, contractors, business and community leaders throughout the Sacramento region and acquired offices in Modesto, San Francisco, and Newport Beach, increasing to over 200 employees.

For more than a century, Lionakis has been fostering inclusive cultural values and promoting equity. Its diverse staff comes from different backgrounds, inspiring creative connections and the breaking down of stereotypes. The staff works cohesively to design prominent structures in today’s ever-changing and fast-paced world, creating spaces where communities can learn, work, and gather.

For the 2600 Capitol project, Lionakis maximized the space and designed a green office building with a four-story, 55,000-square-foot structure that ties in with the residential appearance of the surrounding neighborhood. Exterior views, daylighting, and balconies are the defining features of the interior work environments. These concepts resulted in a LEED Gold and LEED Silver Certification for Core and Shell.


Bickel Group Architecture

3600 Birch St. #120, Newport Beach, CA 92660

In 1986, Jim Bickel received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, and he obtained his architect license in California three years later. He has approximately three decades of experience in site design, building conceptualization, project management, code analysis, and construction. He is also a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP). He organized his renowned architectural firm, Bickel Group Architecture, in 1991. 

Since its founding, the firm has developed a distinct design philosophy of creating unparalleled designs and tackling projects ranging from hundreds to thousands of square feet. It has completed commercial, healthcare, educational, religious, residential, and adaptive reuse projects, ensuring that every final output has a value greater than the capital invested. Through its skilled AIA-accredited and LEED AP professionals, the firm completed this Porsche showroom branch, whose triumphant design echoes the winning mentality of the brand.


NORD Architects

620 Newport Center Dr. Suite 1100, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Positioned in the center of Orange County, the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach utilizes the golden sands of the Pacific coast as the scenery for its family-friendly hotel. NORD Architects designed this hotel, containing 517 rooms and suites, to cater to outdoor adventurers. The structure demonstrates the firm’s extensive expertise in designing and renovating hotels, destination resorts, and mixed-use developments. For every project, the firm integrates the natural landscape with functional needs, sensibly observing the balance of the site’s natural state with creative and site-specific solutions.

As principal architect, Bill Nord oversees the project management of all phases, from feasibility analysis to design through construction. This dedication is how the firm has earned its reputation for flexibility and enabled it to complete successful, sustainable projects to last for generations. The firm’s proficient team is skilled in designing architecture appropriate to the context but with a distinctive design presence. 


ACS Architectural Construction Services

101 Shipyard Way Suite B, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Architectural Construction Services (ACS) is a leader in the design industry. The company creates spaces and places by employing futuristic ideas, notable collaborations, and flawless project delivery. It holds architecture licenses in all 50 states, and serves retail, hospitality, supermarkets, and the restaurant industry. To help major retail brands reach their maximum potential, the firm offers comprehensive services ranging from architecture, design, planning, and construction management services.

As a trusted service provider for over 19 years, ACS has worked for Target, providing store planning and construction administration for the remodel of 140 stores in 2017 and 125 stores in 2018. It effectively transformed all departments, including home needs, apparel, jewelries, beauty, toys, and grocery. The work also involved Super Targets, which included approximately 1,500 square feet of full-service grocery departments and store design that considered the unique needs of each store and the encompassing neighborhood.


LeTourneau Architecture

250 Newport Center Dr. Suite 305, Newport Beach, CA

Chris A. Letourneau is a Laguna Beach native with extensive experience in architecture and construction. In 2002, he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and established Letourneau Architecture four years later. Today, his firm offers comprehensive architectural services and expertise in the high-end custom residential market, employing modern and contemporary plans. 

As experts in the residential field, Letourneau Architecture has expanded to also serve the commercial market in Los Angeles and Orange County. Whether working on residential or commercial projects, the firm exhibits a strong dependence on practical design through renewable supplies and sustainable principles. The firm is a staunch proponent of green architecture and is determined to do its part in preserving resources. Besides dependence on green design, the firm’s designs also reflect the context of site programs to complement the overall environment. 


Saunders & Wiant Architects

2700 West Coast Hwy. Suite 200, Newport Beach,CA 92663

A top design firm, Saunders + Wiant Architects operates throughout the southwestern United States. The firm offers a comprehensive design package, including architecture, engineering, and interior design. Providing a broad spectrum of services from sketches to construction administration, the firm has won the confidence of many clients and completed projects for commercial offices and tenant improvements as well as retail, healthcare, residential, and health spa facilities. Its portfolio includes the imaginative design shown here, intended to promote peaceful relaxation for the clients of Spa Gregorie’s. 

Projects like this have earned Saunders + Wiant Architects its reputation for quality and the confidence of its many clients. To uphold this reputation, the firm’s expert team of professionals sustains close associations with its consultant engineers and responds to commercial needs by employing fresh ideas and cost-effective solutions.